was equally fatal to the object of my passion........The first glance was mutual and decisive;.....and this sweet confession she afterwards made me, while the tremor of her heart flushed her beauteous cheek.........heightening rosy bloom of youth. the I did not possess any of that vanity which leads us to a consciousness of our own merits........I was ignorant of the art of pleasing.......Nature was my only guide.....it pointed out to me the beauties of her mind......beaming on her expressive countenance......and I then discovered a sweet......placid.... serenity....which animated the habitual reserve her situation had given to her features. I began to hope she might love me .Paradise opened to my view as I indulged the possibility....and I almost sank to the ground with excess of rapture, while I meditated on the en chanting bliss of passing every mo ment of my future life, by her side.... ......studying all her wishes ere her balmy lips could breathe them. Meanwhile I did not even know her name....or who she was.......I became unhappy at my ignorance....... nor did I know how to relieve it....... I had no dear confidant to whom I I could reveal my secret.........I feared to ask the question casually.......I was conscious that my tell-tale eyes would betray the emotion of my anxious heart. Love put me on my guard....I determined to observe the utmost precaution.......Shuddering at what might be the fatal consequence, if the jealousy of the Priestess was once alarmed...... and left to my Guardian Genius the care of providing me with an opportunity to inspire my beloved unknown with sympathetic tenderness. fate The moment soon presented itself. .....A few days afterwards, I accidentally met the fair mistress of my in one of the avenues belonging to the Temple......My timidity overcame all my wishes......I feared to speak..... hesitated......trembled......Not a single exclamation could I command to speak my transport. The moment she saw me......she stopped..... Her first effort was to cast her mild blue eyes upon the ground... but, encouraged by her tender wishes ......still more powerful than her maiden fears.....she raised the beauteous orbs........swimming in the softest languor.....and fixt them stedfastly on me. I could perceive the agitation of her bosom tremulously ruffling the unconscious muslin which concealed its beauty, but could not veil its feelings... and a deep glow alternately suffused.. and shunned.....her burning cheek. Once more looking downwards..... with a gentle sigh........that eloquently bespoke her emotion........she hastily retired. I feared to follow.....indeed I know not if I had the power to have done it .....my feet seemed fastened to the spot on which I stood.....but my eyes....oh, they pursued her till the closing door .....leading to the apartments of the priestess.....hid her from my view. I flew to the grove......threw myself along the grass.......and deliciously indulged myself in translating the scene I had just witnessed. Her dress.......and the circumstance of her retiring to the closet of the Priestess.......seemed to assure me she was one of the virgin choir who attend the Temple...........Their number was considerable.......and their lives so recluse........they were seldom visible except at Grand Festivals. ་ While I was thus agreeably ruminating........my reverie was disturbed by a message from the amorous Priestess.........and Cupid certainly could not have chosen a less auspicious moment for such an embassy. I obeyed with an aching heart...... for my apprehensions were fearfully awakened by a dread of meeting my incognita........and the mischief which our mutual embarrassment would consequently produce. A stranger to dissimulation........I could not tutor my eyes to affect indifference, while every emotion of my heart shot from their expressive glance, and told the tale of love. My confusion was excessive as I entered the apartment.......but I was soon relieved by finding the Priestess attended only by a little slave about ten years of age. She was either too deeply engaged |